This immersive exhibition features an arresting blend of paintings and sculptures that delve into the realms of folklore, mythology, psychology, and societal constructs
Cultural Foundation, a leading cultural centre under the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), is spotlighting homegrown talent with Maitha Abdalla: Between Metamorphosis and Reality, a compelling solo exhibition by Emirati multidisciplinary artist Maitha Abdalla. Open to the public until August 30, 2025, the exhibition blurs the boundaries between fantasy and reality, identity and illusion, all through Abdalla’s deeply personal artistic lens.
This immersive exhibition features an arresting blend of paintings and sculptures that delve into the realms of folklore, mythology, psychology, and societal constructs. The works move fluidly between abstraction and representation, igniting conversations around identity, transformation, and the emotional weight of memory. With each piece, Abdalla demonstrates how art can serve as both mirror and catalyst—reflecting societal narratives while also challenging viewers to question their own realities.
Maitha Abdalla’s multidisciplinary practice spans film, photography, sculpture, painting, drawing, and performance. Her work is inspired by the theatrical—both its dramatized structure and emotional depth. She often creates scenes involving confined, domestic spaces, acting as metaphors for vulnerability and self-reflection.
Her signature technique includes applying thick layers of oil and acrylic paint with her fingertips and marking outlines with gestural strokes of charcoal. The tactile nature of her process makes each piece not only a visual experience but a physical performance in itself.
Abdalla’s compositions are saturated with emotion, often capturing moments of melancholy, introspection, and tension. Her art navigates a complex interplay of personal memories and collective mythologies, fusing dramatic textures with symbolic storytelling. The result is a series of works that feel both universal and intensely individual, offering a lens into the artist’s psyche while engaging broader cultural dialogues.
Adding further depth to the exhibition, an artist talk will be held on May 28, 2025, from 6:30 to 8:00 PM, featuring Abdalla in conversation with Munira Al Sayegh, Lead Curator and Founder of Dirwaza Curatorial Lab. The discussion will explore the artist’s creative process, shaped by themes of birth, death, guilt, and transformation. It will also include reflections from Abdalla’s recent residency at the Cultural Foundation, examining the dualities of visibility and vulnerability, the interplay between language and the body, and the ritualistic aspects of creation.
Maitha Abdalla’s Between Metamorphosis and Reality is not just an exhibition—it is an invitation into an evolving inner world. Through it, viewers are encouraged to confront their own myths, challenge social norms, and embrace the fluid nature of identity.
